Many people believe that lung cancer is the result of smoking, but Bedford resident Beth Ann Salzman can tell you that’s not always the case.

A two-year lung cancer survivor, Salzman is now working to increase awareness of the disease and how it can affect anyone, not just those who smoke.

Salzman took the time to share the details of her diagnosis and some surprising facts about lung cancer, as well as information on PaddleFest, the fundraiser she’s holding Aug. 12 in Meredith to fund lung cancer research.

Here’s part of the conversation:

Question: When were you diagnosed with lung cancer? Was the diagnosis surprising to you?

Answer: Two years ago last June, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. For about eight weeks, I had a lingering, non-productive cough, which I thought was a new allergy to the live oak tree pollen in Florida. A chest X-ray surprisingly revealed a large tumor in my right lung. The first question the doctor asked me was if I was a smoker. I learned to smoke in college thanks to free cigarettes the tobacco companies gave out, and I smoked socially. In 1974, I took a scuba course at Yale and my instructor, a radiology tech, told me that dying of lung cancer was like drowning very slowly. Ironically, scuba made me think about drowning, and I stopped smoking cold turkey.

Q: What did your treatment entail?

A: Before I could be a candidate for surgery, I had 30 days of chemo and radiation, which shrunk the tumor enough so that I could have two-thirds of my right lung removed. Then, it was more chemo and an unfortunate metastasis in my hip, which was also treated with radiation and chemo.

Q: Are you in remission? Do you have any lingering issues because of the disease?

A: I am not considered in remission, but my most recent scan was cancer-free. I need to have a chemo treatment monthly to ward off the bone cancer. Other than getting a bit winded when I exercise, I am back to
bustling through life and luxuriating in this beautiful New Hampshire summer.

Q: What are some lesser-known facts about lung cancer that people should be aware of?

A: One startling fact is that lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer of women and men, taking more lives than breast, colon, prostate and pancreatic cancers combined. It is responsible for one-third of the deaths by cancer, yet it receives less than 5 percent of federal funding for cancer research. Some health care professionals now consider lung cancer to be epidemic in women since the smoking rate has declined by 50 percent over the last 30 years, but the lung cancer rate in women has not declined one single percent. Although smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer, anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. Nearly two-thirds of people with lung cancer have never smoked or, like myself, quit decades before being diagnosed.

Q: Are there any warning signs of lung cancer people should watch out for?

A: One of the primary reasons lung cancer is still so deadly is because of the lack of warning signs. If caught in Stage I or II, it has a fairly good survival rate. Unfortunately, people do not become symptomatic until they are in Stage III or IV. At that point, treatment is often unsuccessful. Unlike many other forms of cancer, there is not yet a widely accepted test for early detection. Visit the Lung Cancer Alliance at www.lung
canceralliance.org for more interesting facts about the disease. They are currently running a very poignant campaign trying to remove the smoking stigma attached to lung cancer at www.noonedeservestodie.org.

Q: What led you to hold this fundraiser? Have you held any other fundraisers in the past?

A: I feel I have been given this health challenge so I can do my part to raise lung cancer awareness and help fund research. Last summer, my daughter ran a successful paddle event on the Charles River. This year, we are running a similar fundraiser on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Q: What are the details of the fundraiser? Where will the money raised be going?

A: On Sunday, Aug. 12, we’re hosting PaddleFest starting at 10 a.m. at Leavitt Beach in Meredith. Bring your kayaks, canoes, paddleboards or any vessel powered by oar or paddle. Decorate your boats or come in creative beach gear. Game stations will be set up around the paddle course to win fun prizes. There will be both kayaks and paddleboards available for rent. And there will be free paddleboard instruction. Prizes will also be given for the best decorated watercraft, costume and most funds raised. Join us for awesome fun, food, music, games and paddling. All the funds we raise will go to the cutting-edge research being done by Bruce Johnson, M.D., at the Lowe Center of Thoracic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. For details on how to register or donate, go to www.jenifund.org.

Q: What made you decide to have this type of fundraiser rather than something more traditional, like a bake sale?

A: First of all, my hope is that this event will raise tens of thousands of dollars rather than a few hundred dollars. Secondly, it is a lot more fun for the whole family than a bake sale. And finally, it is an enjoyable alternative to walks, runs and triathlons – and I love the lake!

Q: How else can people raise awareness of lung cancer and help fund lung cancer research?

A: The best way to raise awareness is to talk about it. There is often a smoke screen around lung cancer. It is whispered about and talked about in the shadows. It needs to come out in the open. And everyone needs to come to the PaddleFest on Aug. 12 in Meredith to help fund very promising research.